Returning in an impromptu pairing at UFC 313, Justin Gaethje has candidly admitted it’s win or bust tomorrow night against Rafael Fiziev for his championship hopes, claiming any idea of taking on Islam Makhachev in a dream fight go “in the toilet” with a second consecutive loss.
Former interim lightweight champion, Gaethje, who has been sidelined since a stunning loss to Max Holloway in their symbolic BMF title fight at UFC 300, takes on Kazakh native, Fiziev in a rematch of their 2023 pairing this weekend.
Initially scheduled to fight the surging City Kickboxing star, Dan Hooker in a title-eliminator over the course of five rounds, Gaethje instead books a rematch with Tiger Muay Thai ace, Fiziev in a bid to return to the winner’s enclosure.
Justin Gaethje candid on title hopes with loss at UFC 313 tomorrow
However, ahead of the re-run, Arizona veteran, Justin Gaethje claimed if he loses his second fight on the trot, his championship ambitions likely go “in the toilet”.
“This is a risky fight, very risky fight,” Gaethje told UFC during a recent interview. “If I lose this, my aspirations to fight for a belt are pretty much in the toilet. But it is what it is, you know? Every single fight is so risky, and this life I chose is pretty risky. But it’s so fun. And yeah, I would love to go out there and get that finish, but this guy’s world-class. I think it’s a little bit more dangerous than fighting Dan Hooker at the end of the day, because he’s so skilled and he’s got so much power.”
And over the course of last week, the former interim champion confirmed he is gunning for another shot at the undisputed lightweight crown, describing a pairing with pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev as a “dream” pairing for him next.
“I mean, I’m always shooting for (Islam) Makachev, you know, right now he’s the champion,” Justin Gaethje explained. “And we saw with (Dustin) Poirier, you know, I beat him and then he fought for the belt. I think timing is such a huge factor in this sport.
